The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe has placed a temporary ban on the masquerade festival in the Ado-Ekiti.
According to a source, the ban was as a result to the persistent harassment of people and barrage of complaints lodged at Ewi’s palace by those manhandled by adherents of the masquerade. Ewi also called on the Police to arrest any masquerade or masquerader seen in the town. Adherents of a certain masquerade called ‘Paragogo’ being worshipped by Odogun family in Oke Iyinmi in Ado Ekiti, were said to have been arrested over the weekend, following alleged harassment of traders operating at Erekesan Market and other areas in the capital city. Vanguard gathered that some of the masquerades and their followers, who normally go on rampage, brandishing long cudgels and charms, were in the habit of coercing the traders and passers-by to pay money or part with food items, failing which they would be flogged severely and inflicted bodily injuries on the victims . Ewi in a paid advert aired on , BSES, told the Commissioner of Police, Mr Etop James, to carry out the order in the interest public orderliness in Ado-Ekiti. Ewi also warned chiefs against disobeying the order, saying they would be held resposible for any breach of public peace if any masquerade traceable to their quarters should defy the temporary ban.
Source: Vanguard
